Subtank Mini Vs. Nautilus Mini

[sonicbomb]

I've seen fair bit of discussion about these two devices, and seen them recommended to quite a few people. Having owned and used them both, I though perhaps some additional info might help people make a choice between the two.
Obviously this is highly subjective, this is just my take on these two products.


Firstly, both are excellent tanks and I would, and do recommend either of these products.
I think the main thing that separates these two is the airflow options. The nautilus has a much more restrictive airflow and generally suits mouth to lung, though wide open direct lung hits are possible. The Subtank is far better suited to lung hits. Even at it's smallest airflow setting I find mouth to lung difficult. However wide open even with the 1.2 ohm coils it chucks some quite respectable clouds when the mood takes you. That in conjunction with some of the pros detailed below means that I now only use the Subtank and, not the Nautilus.


Aspire Nautilus Mini

Pros -
Great flavor
Small size

Cons -
potentially harmful fiberglass wicking
small capacity 2ml
no RTA option
no sub-ohm option
not really usable above 18 watts
quite restrictive airflow


Kanger Subtank Mini

Pros -
Great flavor
Cotton wicking (easy to rewick)
Good choice of pre-built coils including nickel and sub-ohm
Big airflow

cons -
RTA can be a little fiddly to build on for some

 

[wrice4]

Don't forget the subtank mini has an rta adapter, so you can technically build at a variety of ohms. I actually find that the rta adapter is one of the easiest bases to build on, if you're not trying to squeeze a huge coil in there. Also don't forget, that you can close off the airflow on the subtank mini, and get it more restricted. You don't have to use the 1 air hole, if that too much.

 

[Brie]

I have both these tanks and for the life of me I cannot figure out why all my favourite e liquids taste awful in my subtank !
I have tried both tanks using the same watts, every airhole, new coils, etc etc ......... the only difference being the 1.2 ooc versus the 1.8 BVC , so i can only put this flavor difference to it being coil related.
What am I doing wrong ?

 

[sonicbomb]

^ I mentioned RBA, I meant RTA (edited). To honest it hadn't occurred to me to use less than one hole...sometimes the most obvious things evade me.

 

[jseah]

I agree that it all comes down to personal preference. I have used both and I prefer the Nautilus to the Subtank. Although since I have started doing lung hits more and more, I have tried using my Subtank again and now I do like it a lot more than when I first started using it. I still prefer the Nautilus, but at least now I am using the Subtank "right".

 

[wesson]

I have both these tanks and for the life of me I cannot figure out why all my favourite e liquids taste awful in my subtank !
I have tried both tanks using the same watts, every airhole, new coils, etc etc ......... the only difference being the 1.2 ooc versus the 1.8 BVC , so i can only put this flavor difference to it being coil related.
What am I doing wrong ?

I'm not saying that this is your issue regarding the flavour problems when using the Sub-Tank Mini, but Phil Busardo does identify an issue with the tanks where he describes the vaping flavour as tasting like "monkey azz" Lol. His observation has to do with the tank's insulator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1Th2lX8tCU

 

[jseah]

Considering all the creative names these juice companies come up with, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a juice named "monkey azz".

 

[wesson]

Considering all the creative names these juice companies come up with, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a juice named "monkey azz".

In my post I attempted to use Phil's actual quote, the more common word for "....," however the forum profanity screening program wouldn't allow it.

 

[mesamay2003]

Flavor issues with the subtank usually involve not cleaning it properly right out of the gate...take it apart and clean in hot water and dish soap...another problem can be either vaping with too little or too much wattage...make sure your coils are in good shape, and authentic!!

 

[crxess]

Actual e-juice is Monkey .... - that is why phil used the other descriptor.

Nautilus comparison is incorrect anyway - Atlantis is the competing tank of choice.
Nautilus would be compared more so to the Areotanks/Kayfun RTA's in performance.
Nautilus designed to function on Twist style batteries with limited output.

 

[jseah]

Actual e-juice is Monkey .... - that is why phil used the other descriptor.

So there actually is an ejuice with that name. Why does that not surprise me?

 

[crxess]

So there actually is an ejuice with that name. Why does that not surprise me?

Monkey .... 15ml - Flavorz by Joe - ecigExpress

 

[CardinalWinds]

I'm waiting for a small bottle of 6mg juice to arrive here to really try my sub mini because brother, I can tell you, I can't lung hit 18mg juice! I'm not a natural lung hitter, but I'm willing to try...just have to get it past my throat...lol.

And I have a Nautilus coming too. Yeah, I should have bought the Nauti first....

 

[Wissel Joe]

That Nautilus must be one heck of a tank to sell so well, because its monkey .... ugly.

 

[VictorC]

That Nautilus must be one heck of a tank to sell so well, because its monkey .... ugly.

Actually I like how Nautilus mini look:

and prefer it to Subtank Mini or Delta II.

 

[Wissel Joe]

I'm sure its a great tank i just cant get past the looks of it, on a good note it is unique and when you see one you know thats a Nautilus

 

[SamH94]

I also own both and couldn't say which I prefer, I use the Nautilus when I go to work on my second set-up as work gets a little dirty, and the Subtank when I'm out and about. Nautilus wins for mouth to lung, which I sometimes prefer, also on juice efficiency, and negligibly wins on flavour, but the Subtank is a winner for vapour production by a long shot, which is tenfold more satisfying to me! I have a dripper for home use too and only really use the OCC coils for the Subtank!

 

[wesson]

I'd be quite willing to purchase a Subtank, but I'm strictly a mouth to lung vapor and like a fairly tight draw; I can't do direct lung hits. On the Nautilus I vape at either the smallest hole, or second from smallest. I've read from other people that the Subtank is quite a bit "airier" than the Nautilus Mini, so I don't think that it would be the right tank for me. So far I have three Nautilus Minis and a fourth is on the way; I like them. Looks? Looks are subjective and I find nothing wrong with the look of the Nautilus. Best of all, it keeps me off the analogues. Heck, I'd suck on a car tail pipe that spewed e-juice if that's what it took to keep me away from tobacco

 

[93gc40]

So what you are saying that if you vape above 1.5ohm the Nautilus might be better and if you vape lower then the Subtank shines. It's an apple to oranges comparison. the 2 atty's are MEANT for 2 completely different types of vaping.

 

[jseah]

Actually I like how Nautilus mini look:

and prefer it to Subtank Mini or Delta II.

I do too. The original has a very retro steampunk look to it, while the metal and glass replacement tank is gorgeous.